Nirmala Carvalho

Over the past three months, Hindu extremist groups have carried out at least 15 attacks against the state's Protestant communities. According to Christian leader Sajan George, this is part of an "ominous plan by ultra-nationalist forces to discredit the Congress-led Karnataka administration" and win back power.

Tomorrow, the day of prayer and fasting called for by Pope Francis, the archbishop of Mumbai will lead a special prayer with all the clergy and the faithful in his archdiocese. In the evening, children in all the parishes will recite a prayer for their Syrian brothers and sisters.

Today is the liturgical memory of the Blessed. Run by Fr Lino Fernandes, the parish mission in Siadih is named after her. The priest, a Pillar missionary, chronicles the challenges of everyday life of 45 families from 25 different villages, without electricity, or basic infrastructure. However, the joy of the children of these people, who live at the hostel, "is rewarding;" it "encourages us and renews our dedication."

The Christian leader slams three new attacks in August. Despite changes in the state government, the influence of the Hindu ultra-nationalists Bharatiya Janata Party continues to cause acts of anti-Christian violence and boycotts.

Charged with sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl, guru Asaram Bapu claims to be the victim of a "plot" orchestrated by Sonia Gandhi, leader of the ruling and secular-oriented Congress party. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the holy man "is a coward who wants to divert attention from his many crimes."

The head of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) was given the award for his work on behalf of religious freedom. Submitted by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (founded by the Rev King) and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the award marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (28 August 1963).

In the capital of Maharashtra, a 22-year-old photojournalist was attacked and raped by five men, who are now all in custody. The victim is in hospital and out of danger. For the archbishop of Mumbai, Indians must "bring God back at the centre of our lives [. . .] and follow the values of the Gospel. For the president of the Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), "Our system of values is seriously compromised."

About 150 people attacked priests and nuns who work with tribal Santal in Jharkhand. The death of a child who lived in the mission’s sparked mob’s wrath. But according to the missionaries, Hindu extremist groups fomented parents, exploiting their pain.

With their faces disguised, four ultra-nationalists attack the mother of a Pentecostal pastor, beating and seriously injuring her. The group was looking for her son and his wife, who were not at home at the time of the incident. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "The closer we get to the general election, the greater the intolerance of radical Hindus towards Christians."

J Jayalalitha, from a Hindu Brahmin family, has asked the Indian Prime Minister to also grant Dalit Christians the rights provided by the castes law. According to the Constitution on the Scheduled Caste (SC) only Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist "untouchable" have access to economic, educational and social benefits.

Archbishop Felix Machado, president of the Office for Dialogue and Ecumenism of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), sends his best wishes for the end of Ramadan to India's Muslims. Commenting on the papal message to the worldwide Islamic community, the prelate mentioned the Catholic Church's ministry in education. In our schools, he explained, we teach children the "values of religious freedom, equality, justice and peace."

No woman has ever held this office before Janet Lawrence D'Souza. "Attacks on churches, fabricated accusations of forced conversions and anti-Christian persecution are a danger to India's development," she said. The lack of burial space for Christians is an issue that needs a solution.